Medieval Sintra Tour: The Curse of Oak Island Connection

This is one of the most popular leisure spots in Sintra, largely due to the monumental complex and the green landscape that can be seen from its walls: the Vale da Raposa, Vila Velha with its houses and the National Palace of Sintra and the ocean on the horizon line. Up there, the Moorish Castle. Very close to the Historic Center of Sintra, at this viewpoint, easily accessible from the Sintra train station, you can sit back and relax and admire the breathtaking view.

Built in 1922 with a project by Master José da Fonseca, the Moorish fountain was built to enhance the town entrance and to “dignify the most appreciated water of Sintra”. The widening of the road in 1960 forced the dismantling of the fountain; it was rebuilt 20 years later, not in its initial location, but rather in the middle of Volta do Duche. The fountain’s revival architecture features a large arch, from which three other arches are raised by Neo-Moorish tiles. In the centre, the municipality’s coat of arms engraved in stone stands out.

The National Palace of Sintra, also known as Palácio da Vila, was one of the palaces used by the Portuguese Royal Family practically until the end of the Monarchy, in 1910. Of urban implantation, its construction began in the 15th century, with traces of unknown author. It presents characteristics of medieval, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Romantic architecture. It is considered an example of organic architecture, of a set of apparently separate bodies, but which are part of a whole articulated with each other, through patios, stairs, corridors and galleries. It has the largest set of Mudejar tiles in the country. It is dominated by two large twin chimneys that crown the kitchen and constitute the "ex-libris" of Sintra.

The Church of São Martinho is the parish seat, it was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, rebuilt and disfigured at the end of the 18th century. Only the original Gothic structure of the chancel remains, visible from the outside, including the thirteenth-century tombstone by Margarida Fernandes and three boards of Portuguese painting from the mid-16th century – “S. Martin and the poor”, “St. Pedro” and “St.º António” – attributed to the Master of S. Quintino. We can only speak of the Parish Church of São Martinho from 1283 onwards, the year in which statutes were ordained and granted, which, however, were approved only in 1306. In this way, all its regulations and properties were established (highlighting, among them, the hermitages. With the passage of time, the Parish Church of Sintra and headquarters of the Royal Collegiate Church of São Martinho, was the target of several restoration and improvement campaigns, highlighting the one carried out during the reign of D. Manuel I.

The Biester chalet, built in 1880, is at the beginning of the Serra de Sintra, from where you can enjoy one of the most wonderful panoramas in the world, in the center of an exuberant vegetation, where its pointed slate roofs and its needle towers square well. , typical of countries with frequent fog. Casa Biester is visible “… from wherever it is looked at, either because of the situation that Monteiro gave it, or because of the way in which the illustrious landscape gardener Nogré designed the park, Casa Biester, with its graceful air of reducing An old castle, however, it gives the impression of stability and strength that the environment and its importance required.” In detail, the construction is of an enchanting beauty in all its four facades. Internally, the illustrious architect had the collaboration of two no less illustrious artists, Manini, in decorative painting and Leandro Braga, in wood sculpture, who used all their beautiful artistic skills in the superb villa.

The Quinta-da-Regaleira is located on the slopes of the mountains and a short distance from the Historic Center of Sintra, being classified as a Property of Public Interest since 2002. Carvalho Monteiro, through the design of Italian architect Luigi Manini, transforms the 4-hectare farm into a palace surrounded by lush gardens, lakes, caves and enigmatic constructions, places that hide alchemical meanings, such as those evoked by Freemasonry, the Templars and the Rosicrucian. It models the space in mixed layouts, evoking Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architecture. Quinta da Regaleira is a place to feel. It is not enough to tell him the memory, the landscape, the mysteries. It is necessary to get to know it, contemplate the scenography of the gardens and buildings, admire the Palace, a true philosopher's mansion of alchemical inspiration, walk through the exotic park and feel its spirituality.